Jackson State University Executive Cabinet and Academic Deans

Thomas Hudson, J.D., President

Alisa Mosley, Ph.D, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Debra L. Mays-Jackson, Ph.D., Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Howard Brown, Vice President for Business and Finance, Chief Financial Officer Joseph Whittaker, Ph.D, Vice President for Research and Economic Development/Associate Provost Veronica M. Cohen, Vice President for Institutional Advancement & External Affairs Ashley Robinson, Vice President of Athletics and Director of Athletics Robin M. Pack, Executive Director of Human Resources Edward Watson, J.D, General Counsel

Dr. Preselfannie McDaniels, Graduate Studies

Dr. Fidelis Ikem, College of Business

Dr. Millard Juette Bingham, College of Education and Human Development Dr. Girmay Berhie, College of Health Sciences Dr. Candis Pizzetta (Interim), College of Liberal Arts Dr. Wilbur Walters, College of Science, Engineering and Technology

The University Seal was designed by Freddy Norman, graphic artist. The Seal displays the University’s motto: Excellentia, Academica, Investigatio et Officium (Academic Excellence, Research, and Service). Three significant elements are presented in the design. At the center of the configuration is a winged torch. The flame signifies the light of learning and the search for truth. It leaps upward, borne aloft by outspread wings symbolic of the quest for excellence. Within the wing on the left side is an open book symbolic of research and publication. The globe inscribed within the wing on the right side symbolizes the University’s commitment to service to the state, the nation, and the world. The year 1877 represents the founding date of the university. The laurel wreath, which is reminiscent of the victor’s crown awarded to the best competitors in the arts and sciences during the Classical Era, encircles the design and represents the pursuit of excellence in every field. On March 15, 1974, the Seal was revised to include the institution’s university designation.

The Mace was originated and first used in Egypt, where it represented creativeness, achievement, and the assertive tendency in man. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a weapon of war. Today, however, the mace represents deputized authority and dignity.

The Jackson State University Mace is carried in all formal University convocations. It was carved from a piece of solid American black walnut. The upper portion of the Mace is in the shape of a pentagon and contains the University’s logo and Seal. Dr. Sam Cobbins, retired Professor of Technology and Industrial Arts, designed and constructed the Jackson State University Mace.

The Chain of Office is a symbol of office dating from medieval times. It is worn by the President with academic regalia on ceremonial occasions. The Chain of Office honors the highest official at an educational institution as a symbol of leadership and responsibility vested in that office.

The Chain of Office for Jackson State University’s President is made of antiqued silver plated bronze metal and is made up of curved banners engraved with the names of the University’s previous presidents.

From the chain hangs a medallion. A banner engraved with the President’s name is located at the center of the chain directly above the University Medallion. This banner is adorned with a leaf and inscribed with the year representing the President’s first year in office.

Traditionally, the medallion is a symbol of academic leadership. It is one of the oldest symbols of authority. The medallion is worn by the President as part of his/ her presidential regalia at commencement and other ceremonial occasions at the University. It symbolizes the President’s authority as the highest officer of the University. The medallion is inscribed with the Jackson State University Seal, which represents the Office of the President and the University’s commitment to academic excellence, research and service.

The three-inch circular medallion is made of antiqued silver-plated bronze metal with blue enamel. This unique mount represents a single-faced imagery in bas-relief creating a two-level projection with the three significant elements in the overall design encircled by the laurel wreath. At the center of the configuration is a winged torch. The flame signifies the light of learning and the search for truth. It leaps upward borne aloft by outspread wings symbolic of the quest for excellence. Within the wing on the left side is an open book symbolic of research and publication; the globe inscribed within the wing on the right side symbolizes the University’s commitment to service to the state, the nation and the world. The year 1877 represents the founding date of the University. The laurel wreath, which encircles the design, represents the pursuit of excellence in every field.

The custom of wearing academic regalia stems from the Middle Ages when scholars were also clerics and wore the costumes in their Monastic orders.

The most common headpiece for the ceremony is the black square, flat topped or mortar board which is shaped like a board of the mason which holds the mortar.

The tassel on the doctor’s cap is usually gold in color and is worn on the left. The tassel on the master’s cap is usually black and is also worn on the left. The tassel on the bachelor’s cap, usually black, is worn on the right prior to graduation, then moved to the left when instructed by the presiding officer.

The hood, which is mentioned as early as 1480 in clerical literature, was originally used as a head covering, a shoulder cape, and a bag in which alms could be collected.

The gown is usually black. The traditional doctor’s gown has velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars on the sleeves. The master’s gown has no velvet but does have unusually long sleeves. The bachelor’s gown is similar to the master’s but has regular length sleeves which are pointed. Some gowns may be the color of the department granting the degree, such as “Education Blue.” Others may be “Yale Blue” or “Harvard Crimson” for graduates of these universities.

Shown below is a listing of hood and tassel colors established by the Intercollegiate Code to represent several departments of learning. (Please note that not all departments listed here are established at Jackson State University.)

Agriculture |Maze Medicine |Green Arts, Letters, Humanities |White Music |Pink Business Administration, Accountancy |Drab Nursing |Apricot Dentistry |Lilac Oratory (Speech) |Silver Gray Economics |Copper Pharmacy |Olive Green Education |Light Blue Philosophy |Dark Blue Engineering |Orange Physical Education |Sage Green Fine Arts, including Architecture |Brown Public Administration, Service |Peacock Blue Forestry |Russet Public Health |Salmon Pink Home Economics |Maroon Science |Golden Yellow Journalism |Crimson Social Work/Science |Citron Law |Purple Theology |Scarlet Library Science |Lemon Veterinary Science |Gray Lifelong Learning |Garnet

A bachelor’s degree is the first academic degree that is conferred by a university to students who have completed the undergraduate coursework of study. The bachelor’s degree is sometimes called a baccalaureate degree. This degree is the most common type of college degree awarded by institutions of higher learning in the United States. The bachelor’s degree provides students with a foundation for entering many professional career fields and for further education.

The master’s degree is an academic degree that is conferred by a university to students who have successfully completed one or two years of approved course work beyond that of the bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree candidates are expected to exhibit and demonstrate mastery of a specialized body of theoretical and applied subject matter. A thesis or a project is usually required in many master’s degree programs.

The specialist degree is common in many education and psychology programs. It is conferred by a university to students who have completed academic study beyond the master’s level and below the doctorate level.

The doctoral degree is the highest of the academic degrees conferred by a university. It is offered in most fields of study. Doctoral degrees include the professional degree and the research degree. The professional doctoral degree calls for advanced training for the practice in professional fields such as medicine, pharmacy, law or nursing. The research doctorate requires approximately four years of advanced study and independent research. The years of study and excellent research are typically accompanied by a dissertation. The doctoral candidate is expected to make a contribution to the body of knowledge in the field of study.

The academic procession dates back to the Middle Ages when universities were closely associated with the Medieval Church. Since that time, the academic procession has become a treasured tradition in higher education institutions. During the academic procession, university officers and others related to the university march in formal university events in academic regalia.

The pageantry of the academic procession is a featured part of commencement programs and other formal university events. The Academic Procession is generally initiated by the university’s mace bearer. During commencements, the mace bearer is generally followed by the chief faculty marshal. The academic procession brings into the arena the President, other officials of the university, representatives from the governing board, the guest speaker, college deans, other platform guests, administrators, faculty and graduating students.